Hocus at the Shakedown Bar

Hocus is a three-piece rock band from Imperial Beach. With influences from far-ranging ’80s and ’90s rock with a measure of hardcore punk thrown in, Hocus performed an energetic set at the Shakedown Bar in the Midway district. Members consist of Fat Lando on guitars and vocals, Vesper on bass and vocals, and drummer Rhino keeping the beat.

The band charged through a series of songs off their album Better Than You. "Jimmy Stones" got the Shakedown set off to a rousing start, followed by a catchy "Mary's Fault," the band's new single. Especially powerful was the female bassist's growling rendition of "Yuppied Out," an angry ode to acquaintances who have sold out. Hocus played a shout-out cover of buddy band Privatized Air’s "Pain Reliever" and then concluded their set with "Banshee," which morphed into "Bipolar Girl," a song that, according to guitarist Lando, calls out attractive women who play games with men.

The Hocus set was saucy yet smooth; melodic rock but with some raw punk thrown into the mix. Keep them on your radar.